"Why is it so hot outside?" This was the first thing Feng Yu Heng said after coming out of closed-door cultivation.
The furnace's temperature was very high, so the two of them were wearing thin clothes. However, when they walked out of the furnace and into Xu Tian Cave, they felt cold, so they changed into winter clothes. Xu Tian Cave was cold all year round, so even during the dog days of summer, they still had to wear cotton-padded jackets.
The two of them were muddle-headed from working so hard that they didn't realize how long they had been in closed-door cultivation. It wasn't until they heard her say it was hot that Xuan Tianming noticed the clothes of the soldiers outside. He then nudged the maidservant beside him with his elbow and whispered, "How long have we been in there?"
Feng Yu Heng thought for a moment, "At most a month?"
"Impossible." Xuan Tianming pointed at the soldiers and said, "Look, they're all wearing summer clothes."
She was shocked and looked carefully. Wasn't it true? They were wearing thin clothes, and some of them were even bare-chested.
Wang Chuan and Huang Quan were also in the crowd. When they saw the two of them come out, they quickly stepped forward and saluted, "This servant greets Your Highness and Young Miss."
Feng Yu Heng rubbed her forehead. These two maidservants were wearing gauze skirts. She couldn't help but ask, "What month is it now?"
Wang Chuan replied, "It's already the middle of the sixth month. Young Miss and His Highness have been in closed-door cultivation for a total of 108 days."
The two of them were shocked again. 108 days was more than three months. The sixth month of the lunar calendar was equivalent to the second half of the seventh month of the solar calendar. It was extremely hot! Feng Yu Heng didn't say anything and quickly pulled off the cloak behind her.
At this time, Xuan Tianming didn't care that he was also sweating from the heat. He couldn't hide the excitement on his face. He raised the hard object in his hand high and said in a clear voice, "My Dashun's first piece of steel has been completed!"
When he said this, the surroundings fell silent. It was as if time had suddenly stopped. Everyone stopped talking and even held their breaths. In the summer, the mountains were lush and lush, and the chirping of birds and cicadas could be heard. However, at his words, the birds did not move, and the cicadas did not speak. In an instant, there was only the sound of rushing water from the distant river.
Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at the thing in Xuan Tianming's hand. The old blacksmiths stumbled forward a few steps and looked at the thing called steel as if they were looking at a treasure. Even Wang Chuan and Huang Quan's eyes lit up. The hidden guards who were originally hidden all over the place also appeared one after another. No one wanted to miss this historic moment.
After some time, someone asked in a trembling voice, "This … is steel?"
Xuan Tianming nodded. "That's right, this is steel!"
Whoosh!
The crowd cheered and applauded thunderously. Their joy was indescribable. The soldiers roared loudly at the mountain while the blacksmiths knelt down in front of the piece of steel, tears streaming down their faces.
Perhaps the atmosphere here was too intense, but the people in the camp also sensed it. Group after group gathered in Xu Tian Cave and joined in the revelry.
Not to mention the soldiers and blacksmiths, even Feng Yu Heng herself was infected by this atmosphere. No one could imagine what kind of suffering she and Xuan Tianming had endured during the 108 days of seclusion.
The furnace was like a large steamer, stifling to the point of suffocation. Although there was ventilation, it could only ensure that people could survive in that kind of environment. It was absolutely impossible for them to live comfortably. Steel was a belief in their hearts. Feng Yu Heng wanted to challenge herself. She wanted to create steel in this era where there was no high technology to speak of. As for Xuan Tianming, once Dashun had steel, it was equivalent to a higher status in the world. It was a big step forward compared to other countries.
In short, once the steel was refined, there was simply no stopping the rhythm. At first, they would go to the bedroom to rest every two days. However, as they entered the more crucial part, not only did the difficulty increase, but it also required more precision and continuity. The two had no time to go to the bedroom. They cooked three meals a day. When they were tired, they would lean against the stone wall and sleep for a while. However, they would only sleep for a few dozen minutes at most before they had to wake up and proceed to the next step.
During the most difficult time, the two of them fell asleep while refining. As a result, they missed the time and completely wasted the materials. When they woke up, they had to start all over again.
There was also one time when the furnace burned dry. If it weren't for the soldiers outside forcibly breaking in and rescuing them, the two of them would have choked to death from the smoke.
Fortunately, she still had a portable space. She never lacked iced water, and from time to time, she would take out a few bowls of instant noodles to make do with a meal.
However, it wasn't enough to just solve the problem of food and drink. There were many other physiological needs, especially since her period had come on time every month. She had to go into the space to take care of it whenever she wanted.
As for Xuan Tianming, these days, he was used to a living person suddenly disappearing in front of him. At first, he found it novel, but later on, he didn't care. It was good that he knew Feng Yu Heng was safe. With such an invisibility ability, if they were to encounter danger in the future, they could at least save their lives.
In short, they had endured all the hardships and finally refined a piece of real steel. Although it was only a small piece the size of a palm, through the refining process of this piece of steel, they had also developed a series of new steelmaking methods. Feng Yu Heng believed that with this success, the popularization of steel in the Dashun army was just around the corner.
The excitement of the soldiers didn't diminish. Feng Yu Heng saw that among the blacksmiths still kneeling on the ground, the one leading them was the old man who wanted to plead for his grandson. She walked forward and personally helped the old man up. Then she asked: "Old Mister, look at this piece of steel. Is it enough to make a saber?"
As soon as he heard Feng Yu Heng discussing a technical problem with him, the old man immediately became serious. He stared at the piece of steel for a long time and nodded: "If it's not scrap, it should be enough to make two sabers."
Feng Yu Heng said: "That's good. Then I'll give this piece of steel to Old Mister. You can use it to make a saber. Then, His Highness and I will personally present it to the Emperor. Is that okay?"
The old blacksmith's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"Really."
The blacksmith fiercely nodded. With trembling hands, he took the piece of steel from Xuan Tianming's hands. He was so excited that he didn't wait for a moment. He laughed wildly and ran into Xu Tian Cave. The blacksmith's apprentice said with some embarrassment: "My grandfather's temperament is like this. I'm afraid that if this steel saber isn't made, he won't be able to sleep well." As he spoke, he saluted the two people and also went in to help.
Xuan Tianming announced in a clear voice: "Everyone, listen to my orders! Prepare wine, meat, and bonfires. Tonight, we'll hold a banquet for the three armies. Tomorrow, we'll rest. Starting from the day after tomorrow, we'll officially start producing steel! "
The successful steelmaking by the commander-in-chief was equivalent to giving everyone a shot of confidence. Those blacksmiths who had been waiting in the army for too long and had become unconfident were now excited again. Many people had already run into Xu Tian Cave to see the old blacksmith make a saber. The remaining blacksmiths were divided into small groups by their leaders and were waiting for their assignments the day after tomorrow.
Qian Li walked forward and said to the two people: "This general has already brought back the other fifty blacksmiths. Five people to a group, a total of ten groups. They are all waiting in the military camp, waiting for the general and county princess to come out and give them orders. "
Xuan Tianming waved his hand, "Everything can be discussed the day after tomorrow. Right now, we need to let your county princess properly rest."
Feng Yu Heng was truly very tired. She might not have felt it the entire time she was inside making steel, but now that the steel had been made, her mind relaxed. Her entire body was exhausted. She brought Wang Chuan and Huang Quan back to the military camp and first went to see Yao shi.
Yao shi's body had already recovered over eighty percent. At first glance, she looked no different from a normal person, but her pulse was still a bit weak. However, there were no major problems. She only needed to continue to nurse herself back to full health.
Seeing her come, Yao shi was very happy. Holding her hand, she repeatedly asked her about the production of steel. Hearing that the steel had already been made, she let out a sigh of relief and said with a bit of joy: "I was truly worried that you wouldn't be able to make steel. We've caused so much trouble for the military camp. If the steel couldn't be made, how would we explain it to them!"
Feng Yu Heng patted the back of her hand and comforted her: "Mother is thinking too much. Daughter has never lied. If I say I can make it, then I can make it."
Yao shi also sighed and said: "My Heng Heng is a promising child. Mother, do not worry. It's just … …" She paused for a moment before saying: "You can help in the military camp, but I can't do it so openly here. So, I was thinking … …"
"I will arrange for people to prepare a residence in Xiao Zhou as soon as possible. Right now, the steel has been made and the blacksmiths have already taken it to make it. After it is finished, his highness and I will personally deliver the saber to the emperor. When these matters are settled, Heng Heng will personally send mother to Xiao Zhou. "
Yao shi let out a sigh of relief and said: "In truth, there's no need for you to send me. You're so busy. Just send some people to send me."
Feng Yu Heng shook her head, "Zirui is not only mother's biological son. He is also my biological younger brother. Under the heavens, how could there be an older sister that doesn't love her younger brother? Mother, don't try to persuade me."
She did not stay with Yao shi for long. After saying what she wanted to say, she brought Wang Chuan and Huang Quan out. Wang Chuan saw that her complexion was not good and comforted her: "Madam was also disturbed by the spirit-altering powder. Young miss, don't take it to heart. The young master is still young. Madam should be more concerned about him. "
"I know." She did not have much of an expression on her face, but her tone carried a bit of disappointment, "When everything has been taken care of, send her to Xiao Zhou as soon as possible."
The three returned to Feng Yu Heng's tent. Huang Quan was busy preparing water for her to take a bath. Wang Chuan quickly told her about what had happened over the past three months: "Qing Yu came a few times. Hearing that young miss was in seclusion, she only stayed for one night before returning. The people of Qian Zhou arrived in the capital around a month after young miss went into seclusion. They brought quite a bit of dowry to the Feng family. They also sent the ten million taels of gold to the county princess' manor. Qing Yu said that she kept eight million taels in the manor's secret room. The other two million taels were exchanged for gold banknotes so that they could be used at any time. "
Feng Yu Heng nodded, "Qing Yu has always been very thorough when it comes to these matters. Leaving the family's finances to her, I am very at ease."
Wang Chuan continued: "Princess Ru Jia's injuries are more or less healed. She can now get out of bed. Only the scar has not been removed. She will remain in the palace for the time being. Eldest princess Kang Yi brought up wanting to take her away a few times, but her Highness the Empress did not agree. "
She thought for a bit then asked Wang Chuan: "Do you know what sort of people came from Qian Zhou this time? Have they returned? "
Wang Chuan shook his head, "The one that came was an imperial uncle. He brought two civil officials and two military officials. They have not returned yet. They were kept behind by the Emperor. He said that he was waiting for county princess to produce steel to open the eyes of the people of Qian Zhou. Oh right, that imperial uncle also brought along his own grandson. It's a four-year-old boy. In terms of seniority, he is Princess Ru Jia's younger cousin. "
Feng Yu Heng pondered for a while. This sort of arrangement was considered normal. Sending dowry, there was an elder. Accompanying them were civil officials and military officials. They also brought along a young child. It looked very peaceful and friendly. But why did she feel that this matter was not as simple as it appeared on the surface?
"Has there been any movement from the Feng manor?"
Wang Chuan's expression sank, "There has been!"
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